A sweet success

HOUGHTON – The Copper Country Community Arts Center’s annual Parade of Confections fundraiser Thursday night finished as a sweet success. Auctioneer Phil Musser kept the crowd entertained and interested, occasionally wafting the treats under hesitating bidders’ noses – a prompting that most attendees could not resist.

This year’s parade boasted 13 desserts prepared by local bakers and volunteers to support the CCCAC’s many programs. Harriet King, creator of a towering 17-layer chocolate espresso lighthouse torte, is an annual contributor to the fundraiser.

“I use the same recipe every year in a different shape,” she said regarding this year’s lighthouse-shaped creation. “I wanted to keep it simple. I was going to do a chocolate sea with mousse boats but thought the lighthouse would be simpler – I was wrong!”

Keeping the layers standing may have been a challenge but the result was well worth it. The cake sold for $95 and all proceeds from the event benefit the CCCAC. Attendees could bid on desserts individually or go in on an item collectively as a group. Bidding was friendly but fierce for the confections, with many bidding wars breaking out as Musser cajoled the crowd to add just $5 more and more to support the CCCAC. After a particularly fiery battle, a fresh coconut cake baked by Norma Nominelli went for $240, with many other lots raising more than $100.

Marilyn Clark of Hancock was the lucky winner of a heaping plate of “Decadent Deep Chocolate Brownies,” which, Musser joked, rang in at “only 400 calories per brownie. … Luckily, they freeze well.” Clark also walked away with the recipe for the delectable brownies.

“It’s a great event,” Clark said. “It’s fun to just see everyone and meet people from the community you might not see very often.”

The event isn’t only about desserts. Besides the live auction, attendees were able to bid on silent auction items including locally made jewelry, photography, textiles and more.

The live auction also included four art pieces; a wool and silk scarf by Ronda Jones, a pair of painted chairs by Christi and Robert Grame, a blown glass vase by Rick Shapero and a chenille hand-woven scarf by Georgie Hurst. Participants were able to buy individual whoopee pies baked by Miranda Kilpela Davis and Valentine’s Day cards created using the letter press machines at CCCAC.

Bonnie Loukus, assistant director of CCCAC, was pleased with this year’s event. The final total of the fundraiser has not yet been calculated.

“There was a nice turnout this year,” she said. “We had a lot of great bidders and we really appreciate the community’s support.”

People interested in volunteering with CCCAC or joining art classes can contact the CCCAC at 482-2333 or check its Facebook page at facebook.com/CCCAC or website at coppercountryarts.com. The center is preparing for Youth Art Month in March.